Have I mentioned how excited I am for this upcoming hunting season? Not only is the fall and winter filled with pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie, and eggnog, but it also is hunting season. I’ll be going on two big game hunting trips, black bear and mule deer, but what to do with the rest of my time? The answer is small game hunting.
In Arizona, your hunting license supplies you with the ability to hunt small game, predators, fur-bearers, waterfowl, and non-game. Today we will talk about hunting rabbits, quail, dove, blue grouse, chukar, pheasant, and tree squirrels.
Rabbit Hunting
Hunting rabbits in Arizona can be broken into two categories, cottontails and jackrabbits. Cottontail hunting is monitored by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and there is a daily bag limit and overall possession limit. Jackrabbits, however, are considered a non-game animal, and there is no bag limit or possession limit. Why is this? I have no idea.
Cottontails are small, quick little buggers that have a fluffy white tail, hence the name. Hunting for cottontails can be variable depending on the year and location. Rabbits, in general, can be affected by both yearly weather patterns and by density of hunters in an area – cottontails are no exception. I recommend finding an area with not only low vehicle traffic, but with low hunter density as well for best harvest rates.
Jackrabbits are broke down into two species, the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) and the antelope jackrabbit (Lepus alleni). Both these species are significantly larger than that of the cottontail, though some say they’re less tasty. These rabbits aren’t as quick as cottontails, but they are fast, making shots sometimes difficult.
Overall, I recommend trying to shoot rabbits with the smallest round/caliber as possible. Use a .22, but do your best to shoot in the head or in rear-most vital shot, so as to avoid the front quarters. I prefer to use a shotgun, using a number 6 shot. This allows for shots from a decent distance without destroying anything.
While we are on the subject, let’s talk about the myth of hunting and consuming rabbits during only certain months. “Only hunt rabbits in months that end in y” or “only shoot rabbits in winter months” or “only shoot rabbits preceding the zombie apocalypse”. Regardless, it’s all nonsense. The thought process is that during the summer months, rabbits have parasites and diseases, and that these do not occur in the winter months. I hate to break it to you, but rabbits have parasites during all months of the year, but they fester and come alive during warmer months. For those of you worried about tularemia, you shouldn’t be; if a rabbit is seen acting obviously different and abnormal, than stay away. If you’re worried, wear gloves while field dressing your animals.
Quail Hunting
Arizona has a wide variety of quail hunting opportunities, containing 3 different species of huntable quail; Gambel’s quail, scaled quail, and Mearn’s quail (not Montezuma). Each species of quail presents its own unique set of challenges and difficulties, of which we will discuss.
Female Gambel's Quail
Scaled quail and Gambel’s quail hunting is similar, in that these birds tend to run before they fly, and are usually affected by hunting pressure in that they will become less tolerable to near human activity. These birds are fast flyers when flushed, but usually only fly for short bursts. Gambel’s quail stick to Sonoran desert communities, while scaled quail inhabit grassland and desert grassland communities. A hunter can use a dog for these birds, but it will prove difficult. I advise to sit water holes that have been scouted pre-season, using a retrieving dog. Be aware of heat that is often associated with quail hunts and stay hydrated.
Scaled Quail
Mearn’s quail is different from the other two species. This species lives in Madrean woodland environments, and will hold very still – pointing dogs are highly recommended for this species. A hunter should be in decent shape for this hunt, as these birds tend to live in elevations that can vary greatly over a short linear value. I should also mention that you should be prepared to take a bird or two to the taxidermist, as they are beautiful.
Dove Hunting
The first hunt I ever went on was a dove hunt, and I’ve been hooked ever since. These birds can provide for an incredibly exciting morning of hunting if a good spot is found. Mourning dove can be found just about state-wide, though the southern half holds higher densities. White-winged dove can be found in the southern half of the state, but often move out of the state by the time dove hunting begins in September. Eurasian collared dove, an invasive species that is large, have no limit. A hunter should locate a corridor between the bird’s nesting and feeding sites, or a common water source. Putting up decoys can prove worth it, as dove tend to find comfort seeing another bird landed. As for all migratory bird hunting, be sure of your regulations and assure that all stamps are purchased.
Blue Grouse Hunting
Blue grouse are found in only two areas in Arizona, the White Mountains and the Kaibab plateau. Hunting these birds can prove difficult, as finding them can be near impossible. However, if densities are found, hunting them can be simple, as they tend to hold very well. I advise to walk edges between clearings/meadows and treed areas, walking carefully and being aware.
Chukar Hunting
I honestly no little about chukar hunting, other than the fact that the hunting is difficult as they hold tight and live in almost vertical elevations. There are ranches that grow chukar throughout Arizona if a hunter is looking for an easier opportunity.
Pheasant Hunting
Pheasant hunting in Arizona is limited almost exclusively to private ranches in southern Arizona. The hunts is a draw-only hunt, and the tags are limited.
Tree Squirrel Hunting
Abert's Squirrels
If a good density of squirrels can be found, than this can be one of my favorite types of hunting. These smaller animals can have an attitude, and I have had them throw pine cone scales at me. There are a variety of different types of squirrels in Arizona, of which provide different challenges. I advise for a hunter to hunt squirrels before the first big snow fall; squirrels tend to stay nested after the first big snow fall. Use smaller shot or a .22 so as to not destroy the meat, and get ready for some pretty dang good eating.
As you can read, there are many opportunities for a hunter in between big game seasons, and this isn’t even all of them. I’ll be covering waterfowl and predator/furbearer in future posts to describe even more opportunities for pre/post big game seasons. I should also mention that I’m only covering the very basic with these posts.
Stay tuned.